Q: Aside from re-signing Ryan Clady, what will be Denver's free-agency priorities this offseason? Who do you expect the Broncos to lose/not retain? What players and/or positions do you expect them to target?

A: Rick, they'll really get down to this business in the coming weeks. They have to make their list of players they'd like to interview face-to-face at the scouting combine.

They have already made the rounds of the college all-star games. And draft-centric teams like the Broncos say they like to work out from the draft in their offseason plans.

Those kinds of teams first determine their needs then determine the strengths of the draft to decide what their prospects will be for addressing those needs in the draft. Then they look at their pro personnel lists to see who they like in free agency.

Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway has said re-signing Clady is a priority and said following the season he expected to get something done. However, Clady's recent shoulder surgery likely increases the chances the Broncos take a little more wait-and-see approach on a long-term deal for the three-time Pro Bowl selection.

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He has now had major knee surgery — in early 2010 — to go with shoulder surgery, an injury that bothered him for much of the season and kept him out of the Pro Bowl. As a result, the Broncos are far more likely to use the franchise tag on Clady, which would be a guaranteed one-year deal for $9.66 million.

That keeps Clady on the roster. From a business sense, it allows the Broncos to look at his recovery without diving in on a long-term deal before he is medically cleared to return to workouts.

Justin Bannan (Denver Post file)

But overall, their biggest needs will be at defensive tackle where both Justin Bannan and Kevin Vickerson will be unrestricted free agents. Vickerson took a pay cut this past season, and both players will be looking for greener contractual pastures.

The Broncos would like to retain them, but won't be looking to go beyond short-term deals. They both may be able to do better on the open market. So, both sides will likely watch what the market does when free agency opens in March.

Defensive tackle is also one of the draft's deepest positions with productive players who could be potential starters to be found well into the second day.

They will also be looking for interior players in the offensive line, especially at guard. Both guard Chris Kuper and center J.D. Walton will be coming off ankle surgeries. The team does have some genuine concern over the long term about whether or not Kuper will be able to stay healthy given the severity of his original injury in the 2011 regular-season finale and the fact he reinjured the same ankle this year.

Look for Philip Blake, a 2012 draft pick who was on injured reserve this season with a thumb injury, to compete for playing time at center as well.

There is also some strength at those positions in the draft. There will be some veterans available in free agency, such as Jake Scott and Fountain native Phil Loadholt.

D.J. Williams (Denver Post file)

The Broncos will also look long and hard at moving right tackle Orlando Franklin inside to guard. He took some snaps there during last offseason, and there is a thought that it would be his most natural position.

There are some physical right tackle candidates to be found in the draft.

The Broncos also face a decision on Willis McGahee. He finished the season on injured reserve and was tied for the league lead in lost fumbles at the position when he suffered his injury.

He also will turn 32 years old during the 2013 season. He has two years remaining on his four-year deal with the team, but the Broncos want more size at the position. McGahee and Knowshon Moreno have both missed time with injuries over the last two years.

There also is the matter of middle linebacker, where Keith Brooking is 37 and an unrestricted free agent. The Broncos are poised to either part ways with D.J. Williams or ask him to take a significant pay cut.

Williams was a situational player only after he returned from nine games' worth of suspensions. He is due to make $6 million in the upcoming season. That's too rich for his output.

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